Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any Naruto characters or their abilities, expect for those that will most likely be introduced later in this story.
The New Mission
"You called for me Hokage-sama?"
"Yes, it has been about one month since the battle between Sasuke and Itachi. This should have been ample amount of time for the two of them to grieve."
"Sakura seems to be doing better but Naruto still has yet to return to his old self. Mind you he is getting there but it may take some more time."
"I understand, he lost a brother but right now we have more important things to worry about, Kakashi."
"Yes, the Akutsuki."
"There has been no report of them moving since Jiraya's fight with Pein. I think they are planning something."
"If you don't mind my asking, what do you believe they are planning?"
"That is the very purpose behind your next mission."
Down in the village, a certain young shinobi was still trying to get over the lose of a friend but in the past few weeks he came to realized that though he had lost some one very important to him, he couldn't give up, there were still others who cared for him.
"Naruto! Hurry up," came a familiar cry.
"Why bother, Sakura-chan? Kakashi-sensei is always running late so why should I be in that big of a hurry?"
Over the past few weeks the two had become inseparable, which started many rumors about the young pair. Whenever anyone confronted them about it, they would turn away from each other and blush slightly. The two friends, as anyone would tell you were becoming more than friends, they just tried to deny it.
"I want to be there early, I mean does it really hurt to be there early? Who knows this time he could actually show up on time."
"I seriously doubt it," he had said under his breath.
"Well we are going now, even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming, we are not going to be late."
The past month had been tough on the two. Losing Sasuke had caused them a lot of pain but it had also made them realize how these two really did rely on each other and possibly need each other. Each had secretly made the pact, without telling the other, they would do everything in their power to keep from losing another teammate.
"I told you he was going to be late, even Sai isn't here on time."
"Hello, sorry I am late; I just had to save a poor little kitten from drowning."
As if it had become a small little ritual of theirs, the two went into a frenzy about how they had been waiting and how he was a liar… he usually tuned them out when they started that.
"Good to see the two of you are in good spirits. We have a mission but this time Tsunade-sama will be briefing us in person. I ran into Sai earlier this morning and told him. He agreed to meet at the Hokage's tower."
"If Tsunda-baachan wanted to brief us herself about this mission why didn't you just tell us to meet you at her office?"
Sakura would have usually punched him for this but this time he did make a point.
"Well I just figured the two of you would want a little alone time before we set on time mission," his tone suddenly changed, "from everything I have been told this could be a long and deadly one.
"See you at her office in about two hours." Kakashi had said with a smile as he left in his usual cloud of smoke.
Kakashi had left the pair on the bridge were the once complete Team 7 used to meet.
"I wonder what kind of mission?" He was the one to break the silence.
"Huh………" her mind was still on Kakashi's last words 'a long and deadly one'
"I wonder what kind of mission we are being sent on?"
"I don't know."
"Hey Sakura-chan, we have about an hour and a half until we have to meet with Tsunade-baachan, do you want to go with me to get something to eat?"
The past month had changed Sakura's opinion about Naruto and opened her eyes to how important he truly was to her but she was not about to let on, not yet any way.
"Only if you pay."
"I don't know if I have enough for the both of us." Naruto pulled out Gama-chan and gave him a quick check.
"Naruto you are so pathetic. I will pay for my half this time but when we get back from the mission you are taking me out and paying me back," she saw the look in his eyes as she said this, "but we are not going to get ramen, when we get back, I get to chose the restaurant."
"Sakura-chaaaaaaaaaan!"
"That or no deal and you eat by yourself today." She really had no intentions of letting him eat alone but she knew this was the best way for her to get what she really wanted from him.
"Okay, okay, okay, since you twisted my arm. You have a deal," Naruto replied, smiling the whole time.
-----At the Hokage tower, an hour and a half later
"I am glad to see the two of you are doing better," began the Godaime. "I know this had been a tough few weeks for the two of you, losing your former teammate like that but right now there are more pressing matters. As you know the remaining members of Akatsuki are still alive but they have been unusually quiet in the past few weeks…"
"Maybe they are scared to face us…" Naruto started.
"I wish I could believe that but unfortunately that is not the case. Naruto as you know you are the last one the Akatsuki have been ordered to obtain, which probably means that the remaining members will all try to capture you at one time. So, what have they been doing these past few weeks?"
"Licking their wounds, most likely," Naruto said so only Sakura and Sai could hear. Only getting himself a new lump from Sakura.
"It has come to my attention that they are after the eight-tailed demon's vessel. The only problem is that this person's whereabouts are unknown. In fact, the only thing we do know is that it has been sealed inside a human."
"So we are being sent on a mission to find this person before the Akatsuki do," Sakura stated.
"Exactly!"
"But then why us?"
"Because of Naruto, Sakura. He too is being chased by the same organization and I believe that if you do find the person whom you seek, that person could become a powerful ally."
"But why not keep him around here, send somebody else or send somebody in his stead." Sakura could not help but start to shed a few tears at the idea of them running in the Akatsuki and her losing Naruto.
"Sakura, calm down," Kakashi said in his calming voice, "Nothing is going to happen, remember I won't let anything happen my comrades."
"Besides Sakura-chan, this person whom they are after will probably only let himself be found by one person, am I right Baa-chan?" stated Naruto.
"You are right, I believe if this person discovers that you two are the last and his very existence could depend on working with you, then we would have a chance at finally stopping the Akatsuki."
A sudden thought come over Sakura, "And if we don't and they get to him first?"
"Then we will have to find a way to find another way of stopping them."
A silence fell over all of them. Even the emotionless Sai seemed to feel the sudden sadness of the room. It was Naruto who broke the silence.
"So when do we leave?"
"You leave in the morning. According to Jiraya, he received some information that the Eight-tailed demon's vessel is residing in the former land of Darkness. It is a five day journey from here to there. You are all dismissed, I suggest you all take the day off and just relax, tomorrow your journey begins." They all turned to leave, when Tsunade spoke up, "Sakura, can I talk with you?"
"Yes, Shisho?" she responded timidly.
"You two have gotten very close."
"Excuse me?" replied Sakura timidly.
"You and Naruto, you have become much closer than you were before."
"I suppose you could say that the lose of Sasuke has brought us closer together, Shisho."
"No, you two have been getting closer since he returned. I want you to take care."
"I don't think I understand."
"In our line of work unfortunately we lose those whom we care about," she said thinking of the brother and lover she had lost years ago.
"Do not waste a moment or you will regret it."
"Yes, Shisho." She turned to walk out.
"Oh, and you probably need to pack for a long trip, you may be gone for a long time."
Naruto had waited for her outside of her office.
"So what did Baa-chan want to talk to you about?"
After a quick nock on the head she said, "None of your business, now come on, we need to pack and for the mission."
"Come on Sakura-chan," he said rubbing his head, "I think I know how to pack for missions."
"Yeah but you usually waste a lot of space in your bag, so you really need the help." She told him with a sideways glance as they stepped out of the Hokage tower.
